Loyalty In Homer's The Odyssey

In Homer’s The Odyssey, he demonstrates the strength of bonds formed by members of society, and how their loyalty is not affected over an extended period of time. Homer utilizes a faith connection to loyalty, Odysseus and Penelope’s marriage bed, and Odysseus’s dog Argos in order to articulate his strong belief in the importance of loyalty. Everywhere Odysseus went, he left his mark on the world. Whether it was his glory and success in battle, or the authority that radiated off him in waves, he was a man to remember. His dog Argos is no exception to this. In the novel, Homer describes the first meeting of Argos and Odysseus after his return home. He depicts Argos as though he were a puppy again, saying “as soon as he saw Odysseus standing there, he dropped his ears and wagged his tail’ (Homer 180). Argos’ blatant display of happiness at his owner’s long return is a sign of his faithfulness and love for his master This meeting pulls at Odysseus’ heartstrings as he takes in the shape of his old and mistreated hound, and he tears up. He hadn’t been taken care of properly in the years since Odysseus left, but Argos still remembered the man, proving his obedience. While it may be true that time changes people, there is no evidence in The Odyssey to prove that the friends of Odysseus wavered in the

Odysseus went into battle with the suitors, lacking any protection except for his bow. His son joined his father in the fight, and “Telemachus did as his father said” (Homer 225). He courageously risked his life in order to aid Odysseus. Telemachus was willing to die for his father, even though they hadn’t been together for so long. His steadfast allegiance towards his father is similar to that of Jesus Christ, who also entrusted his life into the hands of his Father. Both Telemachus and Jesus demonstrated just how much faithfulness is needed in order to save the ones they